Yahoo Autos Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc Brace for Wild F1 Austrian Grand Prix Start
Max Verstappen had been expected to control proceedings at Formula 1’s Austrian Grand Prix, and so far it is playing out in that manner.
Verstappen led all 23 laps of Formula 1’s Sprint Race in Austria on Saturday from pole position after swatting aside a brief challenge from the Ferrari drivers through the opening corners. It means Verstappen has led the last 165 racing laps at the Red Bull Ring and has extended his title advantage over Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez to 38 points.
The only mistake Verstappen made all day was forgetting to firmly affix his cap on his victory lap in a KTM X-bow, with the headwear flying off behind him.
Verstappen will start Sunday’s Grand Prix from pole position.
It was as you were in the top four as Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz and George Russell all converted their respective grid positions from qualifying. The Ferrari drivers briefly battled for position, swapping places along the back straight, before an assertive Leclerc ultimately kept Sainz at bay.
Verstappen’s eventual winning margin of 1.7 seconds belied his overall control of the race but the front-runners suggested Sunday could still be close.
“Towards the end of the race we were closely matched in pace so I do expect tomorrow to be a tight race,” said Verstappen.
Added Leclerc: “I think it is very close, tomorrow tire management will be a thing and it should be exciting.”
The biggest entertainment was provided by Perez, who carved his way from a penalized 13th on the grid to finish fifth, ahead of Alpine’s Esteban Ocon. Kevin Magnussen collected another couple of points for Haas by classifying in seventh position.
Lewis Hamilton picked up the final bonus point up for grabs by eventually overhauling Magnussen’s Haas teammate Mick Schumacher for eighth position.
The biggest losers were Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso.
Sebastian Vettel was pitched into the gravel by Alex Albon and dropped to 19th and last, though qualified at the back of the 20-car grid anyway.
Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, was set to start ninth but had a problem prior to the formation lap and wasn’t even able to line up on the grid.
Alonso will consequently start from the back row of the grid, alongside Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas, who has been relegated to last after taking on a new power unit, exceeding his yearly allocation.
F1 Sprint will next be in action at the penultimate round of the season in Brazil in November.
F1 Austrian Grand Prix
Sprint Qualifying Results
Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 23 laps
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, +1.675 seconds
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari, +5.644
George Russell, Mercedes, +13.429
Sergio Perez, Red Bull, +18.302
Esteban Ocon, Alpine, +31.032
Kevin Magnussen, Haas, +34.539
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, +35.447
Mick Schumacher, Haas, +37.163
Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo, +37.557
Lando Norris, McLaren, +38.580
Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren, +39.738
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, +48.421
Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo, +50.753
Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri, +52.125
Alexander Albon, Williams, +54.412
Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri, +54.556
Nicholas Latifi, Williams, +1:08.694
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, 2 Laps
Fernando Alonso, Alpine, DNS
